A workshop in the southern Indian city of Hyderabad has asserted the rights and well-being of taxi drivers employed in various platforms
The July 10 workshop, held at the Montfort Social Institute and organized in collaboration with the Bengaluru-based National Law School of India University, addressed various challenges faced by these drivers.
Brother Varghese, director of Montfort Social Institute, described platform work as a new and complex phenomenon for modern civilization. He emphasized the unprecedented situation where employees are uncertain about their employers, the source of their income, and whom to approach in case of issues. He stressed the need to identify and fight for the rights of platform workers, both from the platforms as well as from the government.
Babu Matthew, a speaker at the workshop, emphasized that platforms often employ eloquent language to shift the liability of assets onto the workers. This practice places an immense burden on the drivers, subjecting them to physical, mental, and economic strain.
The workshop was attended by 20 workers representing well-known companies such as Ola, Zomato, Uber, Rapido, and Swiggy. “Their presence lent authenticity to the discussions as they courageously shared their daily struggles and voiced their concerns,” Brother Theckanath said.